Game-board



(No Model.)

W. E. WISE. GAME BOARD.

No. 451,354. Patented Apr. 28, 1891.

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

\VILLIAM ELLIS \VISE, OF IVILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 451,354, dated April 28, 1891.

Application filed September 15, 1890. Serial No. 365,017. (No model.)

4 To coZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM ELLIS Wrsn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Williamsport, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game- Boards; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the invention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in game-boards, and is designed principally for indoor amusement. I

The game played in connection with this board resembles in some respects and is similar to the well-known game of base ball, the object of the invention being to construct a gameboard with an infield and outfield and a surrounding fence or wall, the same as in theusual base-ball ground, except on a greatlyreduced scale, with two pivoted spring-actuated figures serving as the pitcher and batter, respectively, the construction being such that aball can be delivered by the pitcher and struck or hit by the batter as said figures are actuated by their springs. A suitable number of men representing the basemen, shortstop, catcher, and fielders are employed in connection with said figures, occupying positions on the board corresponding with the positions on a regular ball-ground which the men they represent could occupy.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, and specifically defined in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a game-board constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are views of the figures, representing the pitcher and batter detached from the board.

In the said drawings, the reference-nu meral 1 designates a rectangular board With' a surrounding fence or wall 2 and having the supporting-bars 3 on two sides thereof for the purpose of elevating the board a short distance above the object or article upon which it is placed. This board is provided with a square or diamond in its center similar to the diamond of a base-ball field, said diamond being formed by four lines at of a color contrasting with that of the field, and the points of intersection of these lines are designated respectively home, first, second, and third base. The area inclosed between these lines is designated as the infield, while the space outside thereofisthe outfield. There are pointsindicatin g the position of theshortstop, catcher, and fielders which are marked, respectively, 5, 6, and 7. Ata point in the infield in front of the home-base is a circular block or base 8, upon which is mounted or formed therewith a figure 9, provided with a radially-extending arm passing through an aperture in said figure near its top. One end of this arm is provided with a cup 10, adapted to hold a small ball or sphere, and the arm is capable of adjustment in said aperture, so as to regulate the distance of said cup from the figure. The block or base 8 is provided upon its under side with a circular hub 12, which extends through the board 1 and projects a short distance from the bottom thereof. At the point designated as home base there is a figure 13, corresponding in all respects with the above construction, except that instead of the arm and cup this figure is provided with a tapering arm which represents a bat and is intended to strike the ball delivered from the cup, as will hereinafter appear. This figure 13 is provided with a base 8 and hub 12. The hubs 12 are eachprovided with a cross-arm 14:, one end of which is connected with a coiled spring 15, secured to the bottom of the board 1. The free ends of these arms are provided with notches 16, with which engage the inner ends of the triggers 17, pivoted to the board 1 at 18. The outer ends of these triggers extend a short distance beyond the edge of the board. The blocks 8 are provided with arms 19, by which they may be rotated for engaging the arms 14 with the triggers, stops 20 being provided on the board to limit the movement of the arms 19.

It will be noted that the arm carrying the cup on one of the figures and the hat on the other figure project in different directions, so that when actuated by their springs they will advance toward each other, so that the ball projected from the cup will be met by the hat.

The men employed should be sixteen in number and of two diiterent colors, so as to form two sets of eight each.

In playing the game one set of men is placed in position corresponding to the position of the players in base ball. The ball or sphere is then placed in the cup and the figures turned against the tension of their springs by means of the arms 19 until the cross-arms M can be engaged by the triggers 17. The triggers are then actuated to release the ar1ns,when the figures will fly around, the ball being ejected from the cup by centrifugal motion toward the bat, which will strike the same and force it into the field. The two triggers should be released at the same time; but this is not necessary, as the figure with the hat need not be actuated at all.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is The combinatiomwith the inclosed rectangular board having a central square or diamond and a series of marks-or points indicating the positions of the men to be placed thereon, of the two figures, one provided with an adjustable arm having a cup and the other with an arm or bat, the rotating bases to which said figures are secured,provided with hubs projecting through the said board, the cross-arms secured to said hubs and connected at one end to coiled springs secured to the board, and the pivoted triggers engaging with notches in the free ends of said arms, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM ELLIS WISE.

Witnesses:

J. (3. IIILL, JOHN G. IIAR'llIAN. 

